How Do I Transport A Cake For 5 Hours In A Minivan?
Decorating By cakesinma Updated 14 Jun 2005 , 4:29am by jscakes
I'm hoping to make a nice 4th of July cake. The 'problem' is that it will have to survive a 5 hour trip in a minivan. We have A/C but it if it's really hot it doesn't really make it 'cool' in the van.
Any idea what would hold up best? single 1/4 sheet as opposed to a layered cake? Particular kind of frosting (butter cream vs fondant)? Particular kinds of decorations (royal vs buttercream)? How would gel do?
Would it be better to bake the cake, make the decorations and airdry them, mix and color the frostings, and then travel with the disassembeled, undecorated cake?
If I did want to transport a decorated cake over that distance, any tips on how to do it?
Hi cakesinma,
How about freezing your cakes, making your decorations, coloring your icing, etc. @ home and decorate when you get there. The cake would be thrawed by the time you get there. This way, you won't be worried by every little bump in the road.
I transported an 11 x 15 single layer cake 6 hours to Chicago about a month ago. It was fully decorated with the Dream Whip Icing. Despite Chicago traffic, being cut off by slow drivers in Michigan. (I almost locked up the brakes to keep from hitting him) The cake arrived 100% intact and the mom-to-be LOVED the cake. Just make sure the cake sits flat and you should have no problems. I watched my accelerations and tried to brake lightly, when I could. You should have no problems.
Joe
I traveled 3 hours w/ a groom's cake totally decorated & stacked in a box w/ the shelf mats under the cake & the box & also a wedding cake in seperate boxes done the same way. I drove like I normally do... fast because I know no other speed. 
The cakes got there in perfect condition! No problems at all! Strong boxes & the shelf mats are the secret!! Also for extra I put things in between the boxes, just in case I was to slam on my breaks.
Good Luck!
Here's a trick I learned. The back of my car isn't completely I use wood shims on the low side to raise it up to level. Keeping it level will help keep it from sliding apart. Also the grippy stuff is a must!!!
I use the rubbery shelf liner stuff every time I have to transport a cake and I've never had them move.
The baby shower cake was taken after the six hour drive to Chicago! 
When I transport wedding cakes I transport them seperately in LARGE rubbermade bins with the foam mats, and I use the "eggcrate" type foam for extra cushion...You can also get these foam pads in the bed area of Kmart, walmart, wherever you get them cheep.....
Then if it's gonna be a sorta heavy traffic, I put paper towel rolls (still in their wrapping) for leverage and cushion too.....
So far,,,no probs on this end....but you do have to watch out for those kooky drivers...... 
I also have a three hour transport this weekend. The cake is 3 tiered, so I guess I'll put it together when I get there. There is going to be fondant decorations on it, should I put those on before or after? Does anyone have any great tips on doing fondant rope?
Ya know, I expected someone to say this ....Very Carefully!!! 
I've got a board to fit the back seat of my car with Duck brand shelf liner, thick and non skid, glued to the top, and a strip on the bottom of the board. I also have leveling devices to hold the board level. An ac would be mandatory for that long of a trip in the summer if it was me transporting it.
I would worry about sunlight on the icing during the trip, has anyone covered the windows partway to prevent this or put up some kind of barrier around the cake/cakes?
Joe, do you mean that the cake was stolen when you say taken?
Ha, ha, ha jscakes!! I have one on you now!! Gotta love me!!
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